ML20112B448

Comments on Proposed Tech Spec Amends Re Use of Hafnium in Control Rod Assemblies.Neutronic Discrepancy Between Boron & Hafnium Should Be Reconciled Before Issuing Amend

ML20112B448
Person / Time
Site:	Quad Cities
Issue date:	03/13/1985
From:	Parker M ILLINOIS, STATE OF
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
DOE-85-036, DOE-85-36, NUDOCS 8503190182
Download: ML20112B448 (2)

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STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY 1035 OUTER PARK DRIVE

, ' SPRINGFIELD 62704 (217) 546-8100 TERRY R. LASH DAN L. WILLIAMS Dintuon DEPUTY DIRECTOR March 13, 1985 i

r Mr. Harold Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comunission Washington, D.C. 20555

SUBJECT:

Quad Cities Units 1 5 2 Proposed Technical Specification Amendment Involving the Use of Rafniumi in the control Rod Assemblies Docket Nos. 50-254 5 50-265

REFERENCE:

Federal Register /Vol. 50, No. 39/

Wednesday, February 27, 1985, pg. 7992 In Reply Please Refer To: DOE-95-036

Dear Mr. Denton:

'the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety has reviewed the proposed technical specification amendment referenced above, we offer the following couement for your consideration.

'the proposed amendment states, in part, "the reactivity of the hafnium-bearing control rods is sufficiently matched to ensure that their safety function (scram reactivity) is not reduced or comproutised 4 'Ihe macroscopic absorption cross-section 2 , for boron is loj CM for thermal neutrons while that for hafkiumi is 4.71 CM

(hacleonica Data Sheet No. 23).

Neutronically, it is not apparent that boron and hafnium are comparable, and that this discrepancy should be reconciled before issuing an amendment.

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-g-Should you have any questions regarding this observation, please contact use.

Since ,

C. Pard, Chief Division of Engineering MCP:NWI:bkw cc T. Lash G. Wright J. Keppler, NRC Region III R. Lickus, NRC Region III D. Vassallo, NRC Washington, D.C.